This $160 cellular smartwatch with a camera aims to be an Apple Watch for kids

Although some parents spoil their children Apple WatchThe Pinwheel Watch aims to offer an interesting alternative. The $160 mobile smartwatch combines strict parental controls with a kid-friendly AI chatbot.

Unlike the real thing, the Pinwheel has a camera, and the company promises video calling will arrive later this year…

Engadget says that unlike some smartwatches aimed at children, this one doesn’t feel like a toy.

The Pinwheel Watch doesn’t scream, “This is a kid’s device.” The new smartwatches unveiled at Pepcom during CES 2025 don’t have a chunky, flashy case or super-thick bezels. It’s actually quite sleek, with a design reminiscent of a slightly larger Apple Watch, plus a small camera bump and interchangeable strap styles. For tech-savvy kids who, like themselves, have started asking their parents for smartwatches, they will easily find the adult equivalent of a wearable device.

Pinwheel claims that parental controls offer a very high degree of power and flexibility.

For a younger child, they can set it up so that all contacts require approval, while a 14 year old can be given the freedom to add any friends they want without approval. Parents can remotely monitor text messages and call history, and turn off certain features, such as sending images, individually for contacts.

The company also claims that the AI ​​chatbot is child-proof.

[It has] a version of ChatGPT for children called PinwheelGPT. The company says the chatbot has been tested against all the common workarounds used to make these things do things they shouldn’t, so it won’t give inappropriate responses when prompted. And parents can see these chats, including deleted ones.

“You can certainly ask him anything, but he won’t answer,” Pinwheel co-founder Dane Whitbeck said. “He quickly backs down and says, ‘Hey, this is something you should talk to an adult you trust about.’

The camera located at the bottom of the watch will support two-way video calls.

There is no availability date yet. later this yearand in addition to the $160 purchase price, he will need a custom cellular plan costing about $15 per month.

Images: Pinwheel